Some athletes are born with talent. Others develop it through relentless work. Battle Ground High School senior Ethan Adams represents that rare combination of both—a multi-sport athlete whose natural ability has been sharpened by years of dedicated effort and an unshakeable competitive spirit.

Ethan's football journey began early, starting with flag football in kindergarten before transitioning to tackle football in second grade. He also suits up for Tiger basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring—earning first team all-league as pitcher.

Now, as a 17-year-old senior, he's spent the past three years as the Tigers' starting quarterback, leading his team through memorable victories and building a legacy.

The highlight of his high school football career came during his sophomore year, when the team defeated Union High School to secure its first playoff berth in over five years — a testament to how quickly he stepped into a leadership role and delivered when it mattered most.

He has many years of experience in baseball, too, playing on a Lookouts team during the off-season. He credits the baseball program’s rise in competitiveness to the fact that many Tiger baseball players have known each other for years and played on different teams together.

Fun fact: Ethan considers James Gill, a previous Greet Athlete of the Month and Lookouts baseball teammate, his best friend, saying, “We met in 7th grade when he moved to Battle Ground. We spend a lot of time together outside of sports.”

Ethan's development hasn't gone unnoticed by his coaches. QB Coach Jayson Maddux, who also teaches at the school, says, "Ethan is a great kid. He's one of those guys who wants to be the best at everything he does. We've always said he has this 'killer mindset', where he just locks in and gets this look in his eyes that tells you he's ready to win."

That mindset was on full display during a recent team camp at Western Oregon University, where Ethan earned offensive MVP honors among over 17 teams in attendance!

“I also have a great connection and relationship with my football coach, Woody,” adds Ethan. “His first year coaching at BG was also my freshman year, so we've been together for four years. He is one of my biggest mentors in life and also one of my biggest supporters. I go to him for advice on not only football but also other sports. He encourages me to play three sports, which is important to me."

Drawing inspiration from legends like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, Ethan models his approach after champions who've mastered the mental side of the game. "I learned how to handle pressure well and how to get through tough situations," he reflects, skills that translate far beyond the football field.

For Ethan, nothing compares to the energy of game night. "I like the feeling you get on Friday night when the crowd is going crazy and I'm out there doing what I love," he says, capturing the essence of what makes high school football special.

About his future, Ethan says, “I’m still deciding if I want to go the football or baseball route in college. I have multiple offers to play baseball and football. Right now, I’d say I’m leaning towards football more, but I’m not counting baseball out."

With college offers and an invitation to December's Hawaii Tiki Bowl, Ethan Adams demonstrates that talent combined with the right mindset can take you anywhere. Battle Ground is proud to call him our own. We look forward to seeing what’s in store for the Tigers this season!